‘Big Miracle’ Is Heartwarming Fun Despite Chilly Temps, Stars Say

Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell discuss their new film, which follows the rescue of three gray whales in Alaska.By Kara Warner

John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore in “Big Miracle”

Photo: Universal Pictures

If you’re looking for a feel-good film to see this weekend, look no further than “Big Miracle,” the story of the real-life rescue of three gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. Incredibly, the effort became an international issue that involved a rare collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union and garnered worldwide media attention.

MTV News recently caught up with the three stars of the film, Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and Kristen Bell, who explained the multi-generational appeal and importance of the story and the cause presented in the film.

“The whales have Twitter accounts,” Krasinski joked when asked how the film might specifically appeal to MTV viewers. “So, streamlined information, done deal. Don’t ask us, ask them. They’ll talk all about it,” he said with a smile. “It’s a big movie that deals with participation, and with the election coming up and all these different things, and everybody is divided over this, that and the other, and everybody is angry about something. It’s one of those moments where you get to say, ‘I could just step in and lend my voice to something.’ And it really helps, it makes you feel important and special that you’re doing something. This movie sort of focuses on that completely, about how when you get a bunch of people together you can kind of do anything.”

Barrymore added that the film’s setting in the late ’80s provides for a unique look back at our media and political cultures at the time.

“It’s an interesting look back at how if things were a little different maybe we wouldn’t exactly be where we are. But, it’s not in a patronizing way, it’s in a really interesting way,” she said. “And it’s amazing historically, like, you know, environmentally and politically. But, I think it’s very true to what’s going on now, that if people work together, whether it’s protesting via Twitter for an important movement to change their country or to do something wonderful and important like saving whales. It’s working together, so I think actually in 1987 when this takes place and what’s going on right now today, they definitely have a connection.”

Kristen Bell also focused on the warm, fuzzy aspects of the film, particularly how its positive message compares to the continually multiplying “train wreck” elements involved in other films and TV.

“I think it’s a very positive story as opposed to many of the unendingly interesting train wrecks that are put on television or in films these days, which believe me, I’m not poo-pooing, but there’s something very inspiring about a story where a bunch of different people come together for a common goal and actually accomplish it,” Bell explained. “It’s very, very inspiring, I think. And often times, news headlines or things that are written about in blogs, you know, reality television, it’s not as inspiring as you want it to be, at least not for me. And it actually happened. It’s historical, so you’ll get smarter watching it. You’ll also be inspired, so you’ll be happier. What’s the downfall? See the movie!”